title: Food bolus intestinal obstruction in a Chinese population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to review the authors' experience of the diagnosis and management of food bolus obstruction in a Chinese population.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the period 1990-96, 31 patients were treated for food bolus obstruction. The records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen patients (58%) had a history of previous gastric surgery and 13 patients (42%) had an intact gastrointestinal tract. The most common site of impaction was the terminal ileum, and a synchronous site of food bolus obstruction was present in 16% of cases. A total of 91% of the food bolus retrieved was phytobezoar. In 15 cases, the food bolus was successfully milked into the caecum. Enterotomy for removal was necessary in 12 patients, and two underwent small-bowel resection for necrosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Food bolus obstruction affects not only those who have had previous gastric surgery, but also a significant proportion of those with an intact gastrointestinal tract.
authors.affiliation: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Leow
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: W Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001630:Bezoars / Q000150:complications*; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008297:Male; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies